Algona, a small town in Iowa, boasts a tight-knit community of 5300 residents. As per Security Gauge reports, Algona is safer than 64% of US neighborhoods, with a violent crime rate of 23 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Systematic law enforcement and neighborhood vigilantes have been essential in maintaining a low crime rate in the town.
Kevin Cram was a dedicated officer who swore to maintain peace in Algona. The 33-year-old has been serving in the force for about ten years now and is considered an honest cop by his peers. As a father, a husband, and part of the Algona community, Cram was committed to his duty as a patrol officer. And on his usual patrolling on Wednesday, he was about to arrest Kyle Ricke. The suspect resisted, and Cram was fatally shot moments later where he was pronounced dead.
Who Is Kevin Cram?
According to Cram’s grandmother, Mariann Cram, she couldn’t believe at first that Kevin would opt to join the police force. She said, “I think it was because of his brother Steve,” who was an officer in Eagle Grove.
Kevin began his law enforcement career at Nora Springs Police Department in 2013, where he worked with Chief Jessie Dugan. Dugan said in a statement–
“With a two-person police department, Officer Cram and I worked very close together.”
“He was a great friend and coworker. We spent time off-duty hunting and fishing together. Officer Cram will be sadly missed by all.”
After two years of service, he joined the Algona Police Department in 2015.
The 33-year-old husband and father continued serving the department for eight years until his untimely death.
What Happened in Algona, Iowa?
Amidst the cheery town of Algona, a few rotten people might dampen the joy of the community. The 43-year-old Kyle Ricke is one such felon who was already under the radar. Ricke was warned for his erratic behavior when he contacted a victim an unhealthy amount of times within two hours.
Ricke was summoned to court earlier Wednesday. He pleaded not guilty to all charges of third-degree harassment at the Kossuth County.
At around 8:15 p.m., Kevin Cram was informed of an arrest warrant at the 1100 block of Minnesota Street in Algona to apprehend a 43-year-old male of misdemeanor charges.
Cram first told Ricke that he was going to be arrested before putting him in handcuffs. But by that time, Ricke pulled out his gun and shot Cram before fleeing the scene. According to the court documents, Ricke said, “too late, mother f—–,” after shooting him.
The police immediately issued a blue alert and advised the residents to stay indoors. After four hours of grueling manhunt, Ricke was apprehended about 100 miles north of Algona in Leavenworth Township, rural Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, just before midnight.
The court documents revealed that Ricke told police, “I did it ‘cuz I am tired of this s—.”
He is held in the Brown County Jail, after which he will be transported back to Iowa. Ricke faces first-degree murder charges in Cram’s death.
The entire community and the police departments from various counties of Iowa have come together to pay tribute to the fallen hero.
We honor Kevin Cram for his diligent service as the true man in blue.
What are your thoughts on the ludicrous actions of Kyle Ricke? Don’t you think he dug his own grave by converting his third-degree harassment charges to the first-degree murder of a police officer?
Let us know in the comments section below.
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